Shelter-in-Place

The term, shelter-in-place, means
to immediately seek shelter and remain there during an emergency rather
than evacuate. Shelter-in-place should only be used when evacuation is
not safe. The decision to shelter-in-place will be announced by College
officials. In making such decisions the College consults with appropriate
entities such as state and local officials and the National Weather Service.
There are only a few emergency situations requiring that we shelter-in-place.
These include such incidents as a tornado warning, a radiation release
from Surry Nuclear Power Plant, a hazardous material spill, or a violent
person. While similar in concept, each incident type does have unique
shelter-in-place considerations. Familiarization with these concepts will
help with personal protection decision making.

When it is understood that an
eminently dangerous situation exists and evacuation is inadvisable,
notification will be given to shelter-in-place. This announcement will be made
using the College’s Emergency Notification System as soon as it is feasible in
order to provide the campus community as much time as possible to take
protective actions.

The
following recommendations should be considered:

Basement or Substantial Masonry walls

Small Interior Room or Stairwell

No Windows / Glass

Seal Windows / Door Cracks

Turn Off Ventilation

Lock
/ Barricade Doors

Tornado / Severe Weather

X

X

X

Hazardous Material

*

X

X

Power Plant Release

X

X

X

Armed Threat

†

X

* Chemical hazard - select
a room above ground level.

† - Exterior
windows can be an escape route if in the same building as the threat. Avoid
sheltering in rooms with interior windows that would allow you to be seen from
another room or hallway.